03/27/2026
Via multi-million-dollar verdicts, most of which relate to punitive damages, a Los Angeles jury and a New Mexico jury have just confirmed what many of us have been saying for years: major social media platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram) and YouTube should be held responsible because their products are designed to harm young users and they know it. Jurors found that these companies used addictive features and failed to adequately warn about the established and well-documented mental health risks. It should come as no surprise. Former insiders have been raising these concerns for years. Frances Haugen revealed that the company’s own research showed its platforms could negatively impact mental health—especially for teens—yet meaningful changes were not made. Whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams has also stated that Meta actively targeted teenagers (13-17) with ads when they were feeling down or depressed. The algorithm could identify when teens felt worthless or helpless, and Meta would share that information with advertisers. Meta publicly denied this. Juries, however, are the ultimate equalizer. A quintessential American experience is our jury system.
As parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters, many of us have watched loved ones disappear into a digital world of comparison, unrealistic images, curated lives, depression, anxiety, and occasional self-harm. In today’s world, parents and guardians need their children to have phones for location and safety, among other issues. But adults trying to control children’s online activities almost always fails because young people are more technologically savvy. Social media companies have a way to protect our children. They know how to do it. They have refused. And they are finally being held accountable. This law firm believes deeply in this cause. We are here to help if/where we can to help protect your child from further harm from these platforms.